The Department of Justice (DOJ) is set to cancel former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque’s passport as part of its push to advance human-trafficking charges linked to Lucky South 99 Corp., a controversial POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga, Senator Win Gatchalian said Friday.
Speaking during plenary debates on the 2026 national budget, Gatchalian noted that while cases against other individuals involved in the POGO scandal are proceeding, Roque’s case has stalled because he is outside the Philippines.
“Since wala siya dito sa Pilipinas, wala pong jurisdiction ang korte over him,” Gatchalian said, explaining that charges cannot move forward until Roque returns.
Pressed on how the government plans to uphold due process, Gatchalian said the DOJ intends to cancel Roque’s passport to initiate international action.
“Ang move po ng DOJ, Mr. President, is to move to cancel his passport. So dahil nga may warrant of arrest na ho siya, so ang kanilang ginawa ay ipa-cancel po ‘yung kanyang passport para ma-inform po ang Interpol ng red notice at maaresto siya ng Interpol,” he said.
“Dito po papasok ‘yung ating relasyon between the different international agencies na pwede pong umaresto sa kanya,” he added.
DOJ officials, including Acting Secretary Fredderick Vida and Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon, reportedly assured the Senate that the passport cancellation is only a matter of time.
Roque, seeking political asylum in the Netherlands, faces both qualified and regular human-trafficking complaints for his alleged role as legal counsel to Whirlwind Corporation and for reportedly helping organize the POGO operations. He left the Philippines in September after being cited for contempt by the House of Representatives for repeatedly refusing to attend hearings on the POGO industry.